Good evening, we’re updating the coronavirus newsletter to better reflect the pandemic as it changes. What would you like to see included? Send your thoughts to audience@globeandmail.com
Top headlines:
- Now that Alberta is lifting nearly all coronavirus containment measures, parents are left worrying about the return to school as their children are left vulnerable
- The rapid spread of the Delta variant across swathes of the U.S. has not stopped South Dakota’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – which was a super-spreader event last year – from welcoming hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts
- Several countries are battling a resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus in children, just as hospitals also see rising numbers of COVID-19 cases among kids, prompting concerns from Canadian pediatricians
In the past seven days, 9,124 cases were reported, up 62 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 82 deaths announced, up 67 per cent over the same period. At least 436 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,403,401 others are considered recovered.
Canada’s inoculation rate is 8th among countries with a population of one million or more people.
Sources: Canada data is compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data is from Johns Hopkins University.
Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Tracking vaccine doses • Lockdown rules and reopening
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Coronavirus in Canada
- In Alberta, many school administrators, teachers, parents and students are left confused and anxious over the province’s lack of COVID-19 safety guidance ahead of the return to school. Meanwhile, Premier Jason Kenny continues to defend the province’s decision to lift nearly all COVID-19 safety measures, despite mounting opposition. By the end of the month, private testing will be the only option for most people who want to know if they have the virus.
- Saskatchewan health officials say more than 90 per cent of the 1,220 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in July were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
- In Ontario, from the end of June to the end of July, unvaccinated people were eight times more likely to become infected with COVID-19 than fully vaccinated people, according to Public Health Ontario. And, business groups are calling on the Premier to implement a vaccine certificate system for non-essential activities.
- Quebec is reporting 250 new cases today and an overall higher seven-day average for new infections, but deaths and hospitalizations related to COVID-19 have remained relatively stable.
- Okanagan officials are bringing back COVID-19 restrictions as cases surge in the B.C. Interior. And, outbreaks throughout the province have prompted health officials to shorten the recommended delay between vaccinations by three weeks.
Across Canada, pediatricians are bracing for a potential resurgence of respiratory illnesses, hoping to avoid the fate of hospitals abroad that are struggling with rising numbers of COVID-19 cases among children coupled with an earlier-than-expected surge of another seasonal virus.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization among children younger than one in North America, and typically spreads between fall and early spring.
- While it all but disappeared last winter amid lockdowns, many countries have seen the virus re-emerge in the off-season, stretching some hospitals thin.
Canada-U.S. border: After 17 months, the Canadian border has reopened to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Variants: BioNTech says that repeating shots of its vaccine is a better strategy than tailoring its product to new COVID-19 variants.
Coronavirus around the world
- Until now, it’s been up to states in Germany to decide whether vaccination status can exclude people from large events and indoor venues, but the Merkel government is taking dramatic steps to change that.
- Across the U.S., COVID-19 cases have averaged 100,000 for three days in a row, up 35 per cent over the past week, according to a Reuters tally of public-health data. The surge of the disease was strongest in Louisiana, Florida and Arkansas. Members of the U.S. military will be required to have the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Sept. 15, the Pentagon announced Monday.
Coronavirus and business
The pandemic obliterated more than $50-billion in tourism spending in Canada. Sixteen months after the Canada-U.S. border was shut, businesses are now readying to embrace American tourists.
- But, businesses do not anticipate an immediate flood of American tourists and are projecting a slow recovery, with some industry associations saying federal government support will be necessary into next year.
Also today: It’s been a while since hostels in Canada hosted many visitors. Now that borders are opening and restrictions are relaxing, they are booking up, quick.
And: The switch to virtual AGMs in Europe gains pace despite concerns among investors
Globe opinion
- André Picard: Brace yourself for more COVID-19 nastiness
- The Editorial Board: Get vaccinated – or find another line of work
- Marsha Lederman: Watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine got me through the early days of the pandemic. Now it’s time to say goodbye
More reporting
- First person: Instead of baking, we passed the pandemic by making moonshine
Information centre
- Everything you need to know about Canada’s travel restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people
- Waiting for a second dose? We answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions
- What is and isn’t ‘paid sick leave’ in Canada? A short primer
- Got a vaccine ‘hangover’? Here’s why
Sources: Canada data are compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins University and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data are from Johns Hopkins.
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